Yes, I'm cheering for the USA soccer team in the World Cup. I DID watch the game and it was very exciting once the USA team got into gear. But I confess that I had dozed off when the tying goal was scored. I woke up right away and saw the replay over & over. How reminiscent of Bill Buckner's misplay of a routine ground ball to cost the Red Sox the World Series ! I suppose England's goalie was thinking about where to play the ball "after" he caught it. After that blunder, the suspense in the game was huge. England obviously had better players, but the US team and its goalie were a strong fighting unit. Teamwork pays off in soccer. Yeaaaaaaa USA !
Rum
Now I'll turn to another product of the USA - a fine rum made in FLORIDA. An friend gave me a bottle of Siesta Key rum - the light, clear variety. Siesta Key rum is made in Sarasota, Florida in small batches; it's a premium rum made from the finest ingredients and in a fine copper still. That is, so the label says. Being a natural skeptic, I did my own scientific taste test.
Many rum cocktails have sugar and other flavorings. How should one drink rum to assess its own quality ?
Here's what I did - it's my own style for drinking rum. I fill a small "Old Fashioned" glass with ice, squeeze a wedge of lime into it, then wipe the lime around the lip of the glass, and then fill the glass to about 1/2 full with rum. The result is a simple, pure rum drink - very cold. I let the ice melt a bit before sipping; this brings out the flavor better and cuts the bite of the alcohol just enough.
The Data Sample Set:
Siesta Key light rum from batch #2 - cost unknown (a gift).
Rhum J. M. - a rhum vieux agricole distilled in 1997 and aged over 10 years - over $50/bottle.
Mount Gay Eclipse golden rum from Barbados - about $18/bottle.
Pusser's Rum (original British Navy formula for grog) - about $23/bottle.
I lined up the bottles and glasses and made the cocktails. First, however, I sniffed each bottle over & over to compare the pure aroma. After that, I did many, many sipping tests comparing one to another over & over. Of ourse I had to be certain, so took even more sips.
First, let me say that ALL were very good rums. Second, they formed a sequence of flavor and aroma strength. The US entry - Siesta Key rum - had a fine, delicate flavor and an intriguing mouthfeel. My rum cocktail with it was exceptionally smooth and easy to drink and had that cool, clean taste of a fine rum with no harshness or aftertaste. The color is crystal clear, indicating that it's been charcoal filtered to remove impurities and congeries. A very pleasant rum.
Next up the sequence was Rhum J. M. from Martinique. The Siesta Key rum and it shared the pleasant aroma of fine rum. Rhum J. M., being aged and not subsequently cut with water, comes in at 104 proof, so you'll want to let the ice melt a bit more. The color is light gold. It's very, very good - a bit more taste than Siesta Key, and again with no harshness or unpleasant aftertaste.
Third in the aroma-flavor sequence was the Mount Gay Eclipse from Barbados. In the bottle, it's a goldish brown color, but in the glass with ice, it become a pure gold color. The aroma is a bit stronger as is the flavor. ALL these rums have similar flavors, it's just the strength that varies. I did notice the aroma was a wee bit harsher and the flavor had a bit less depth. Only a simultaneous taste test with many, many sample sips can pick this out. Mount Gay makes a fine golden rum.
Strongest flavor came from the Pusser's Rum, which is a blend of four Caribbean rums mixed in the British Virgin Islands. This rum has superb flavor and aroma - not too strong - and its color in the glass is a golden brown. A very, very good rum - a staple in my bar.
So what do I conclude from this very enjoyable scientific test ? All these rums were excellent and they fall neatly onto a sequence of strength of flavor and aroma. That's intentional, of course. The makers are striving to hit certain intensity levels and they succeed. BUT the US entry, Siesta Key rum, proves that a US maker can produce a rum of the finest quality. If you can get it, try it.
Next, I'm trying to obtain a bottle of the Siesta Key dark rum. I'll then be able to do a cross-sectional scientific study, comparing four dark rums for the depth and qualities of their flavor.
Word of the Day
"Provenience" - noun [$10]
Provenience means origin, source.
Sentence: The provenience of rum is not longer controlling for determining whether a rum is fine; fine rum IS made in the USA in Florida as Siesta Key rum proves.
Showing posts with label liquor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liquor. Show all posts
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey has always been on of my favorite drinks. During the 1980s and early 1990s after a hard workout on the weights, I would go to the New York Athletic Club "Tap Room" bar for some refreshment and convivial conversation. During winters I drank Irish whiskey, straight on the rocks. Brendan, the bar's loquacious Irish bartender at the time, always enjoyed pouring me a Jameson. And of course when some beefy fellow down the bar ordered a glass of wine or Coor's Light, he would grimace.
I bear a surname well-known to the Irish; it has a rich heritage there with connections to the early Norman knights who went to Ireland in the 12th century and stayed. I'm not claiming any connection to the nobility - I suspect the name was borrowed from the Duke by one of the saloon keepers on his estate at the time the common man was ordered to take a surname. And I know my great, great, great grandfather ran a saloon in SE central Ohio about 200 years ago. All that is to point out that drinking Irish whiskey might have some deep and long connection to me.
Thus on this St. Patrick's Day I write about Irish Whiskey.
Most Irish whiskey is distilled three times versus double distilling for most Scotch twice. Peat is rarely used in the malting process, so that Irish Whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smokey overtones common to some Scotches. There is lots of variety and overlap in the flavors, of course. If you like Scotch, I urge you to branch out and try Irish Whiskey. It's rather simple to buy: unlike Scotch, there are a limited number of brands. The quality is very high in them.
Here is my primer. For ease, I have classed them alongside some well known Scotch whiskies. The Irish whiskey is a bit less expensive in general, simply as it's less well known and can bear less price premium.
TOP
Jameson Gold - this is the best Irish whiskey that I've ever had. The flavor and finish reminded me of Johnny Walker Blue. Both bring to mind a fine cognac with whiskey flavor. Cost is around $60 per bottle (750 ml).
UPPER MIDDLE
(A) Black Bush from Bushmills. This whisky is a bit lighter and very, very smooth. I class it alongside Johnny Walker Gold. Cost about $40-50 per bottle.
(B) Bushmills Single Malt. As a single malt you'd expect a stronger flavor and you get it. Johnny Walker Green is the parallel scotch product. Cost is about $40-50 per bottle.
MIDDLE
(A) Tullamore Dew 12 year old - very fine, very smooth. About $30 per bottle.
(B) Jameson 12 year old - my standard at the NYAC bar. About $30 per bottle.
Both are analogous to Johnny Walker Black.
LOWER (A very high low)
Jameson - good, full flavor, reasonable price at around $15-20 per bottle.
My bar has far fewer Irish whiskeys that Scotch simply because there are few brands. If you stick to products of Jameson or Bushmills, you'll get a fine product. Try them and experiment. I'm always on the lookout for new Irish whiskeys. The distillers are slowly moving out new premium products as they lag far, far behind the Scottish distillers in creating brand differentiation and premium, niche products.
HOW TO DRINK
I drink them in two ways. One way is simply on the rocks in a short glass: I fill the glass with ice and add the whiskey. I let the ice melt a bit to make the taste better. Again as with Scotch, I think the cold water brings out the flavors and aromas better and permits better mouth-feel and taste as the bite of the alcohol is cut a bit.
The second way again follows my Scotch drinking pattern. I pour the correct amount into a special curved whisky glass that brings out the color and texture, then add a single ice cube to the glass. I let it melt and then sip the fine whiskey. I also swirl the whiskey around the glass and enjoy its color and aroma. Last night I had a glass of Jameson Gold in this manner - it was exquisite.
OK, I admit it: last night I had a taste-a-thon of the top three Irish whiskeys listed above as research for this post :)
Markets
The grind up continues. Krypto has no sell orders this morning, but some might be close at hand. CLF in Fido Fund is up a lot - I need to look at its chart to see if it's in sell territory. I had expected that company to be taken over at a high price, but if it gets to my sell range, I'll let is go anyway.
Word of the Day
"Educe" - verb, transitive [$10]
Educe means 1. to bring out or develop from latent or potential existence: elicit; 2. infer, elicit a principle or number from data.
Sentence: In the "humble" [ ;) ] opinion of Bunkerman, a small ice cube added to whiskey educes its inherent flavor and aroma to come forth in much more quantity for a more enjoyable drink.
I bear a surname well-known to the Irish; it has a rich heritage there with connections to the early Norman knights who went to Ireland in the 12th century and stayed. I'm not claiming any connection to the nobility - I suspect the name was borrowed from the Duke by one of the saloon keepers on his estate at the time the common man was ordered to take a surname. And I know my great, great, great grandfather ran a saloon in SE central Ohio about 200 years ago. All that is to point out that drinking Irish whiskey might have some deep and long connection to me.
Thus on this St. Patrick's Day I write about Irish Whiskey.
Most Irish whiskey is distilled three times versus double distilling for most Scotch twice. Peat is rarely used in the malting process, so that Irish Whiskey has a smoother finish as opposed to the smokey overtones common to some Scotches. There is lots of variety and overlap in the flavors, of course. If you like Scotch, I urge you to branch out and try Irish Whiskey. It's rather simple to buy: unlike Scotch, there are a limited number of brands. The quality is very high in them.
Here is my primer. For ease, I have classed them alongside some well known Scotch whiskies. The Irish whiskey is a bit less expensive in general, simply as it's less well known and can bear less price premium.
TOP
Jameson Gold - this is the best Irish whiskey that I've ever had. The flavor and finish reminded me of Johnny Walker Blue. Both bring to mind a fine cognac with whiskey flavor. Cost is around $60 per bottle (750 ml).
UPPER MIDDLE
(A) Black Bush from Bushmills. This whisky is a bit lighter and very, very smooth. I class it alongside Johnny Walker Gold. Cost about $40-50 per bottle.
(B) Bushmills Single Malt. As a single malt you'd expect a stronger flavor and you get it. Johnny Walker Green is the parallel scotch product. Cost is about $40-50 per bottle.
MIDDLE
(A) Tullamore Dew 12 year old - very fine, very smooth. About $30 per bottle.
(B) Jameson 12 year old - my standard at the NYAC bar. About $30 per bottle.
Both are analogous to Johnny Walker Black.
LOWER (A very high low)
Jameson - good, full flavor, reasonable price at around $15-20 per bottle.
My bar has far fewer Irish whiskeys that Scotch simply because there are few brands. If you stick to products of Jameson or Bushmills, you'll get a fine product. Try them and experiment. I'm always on the lookout for new Irish whiskeys. The distillers are slowly moving out new premium products as they lag far, far behind the Scottish distillers in creating brand differentiation and premium, niche products.
HOW TO DRINK
I drink them in two ways. One way is simply on the rocks in a short glass: I fill the glass with ice and add the whiskey. I let the ice melt a bit to make the taste better. Again as with Scotch, I think the cold water brings out the flavors and aromas better and permits better mouth-feel and taste as the bite of the alcohol is cut a bit.
The second way again follows my Scotch drinking pattern. I pour the correct amount into a special curved whisky glass that brings out the color and texture, then add a single ice cube to the glass. I let it melt and then sip the fine whiskey. I also swirl the whiskey around the glass and enjoy its color and aroma. Last night I had a glass of Jameson Gold in this manner - it was exquisite.
OK, I admit it: last night I had a taste-a-thon of the top three Irish whiskeys listed above as research for this post :)
Markets
The grind up continues. Krypto has no sell orders this morning, but some might be close at hand. CLF in Fido Fund is up a lot - I need to look at its chart to see if it's in sell territory. I had expected that company to be taken over at a high price, but if it gets to my sell range, I'll let is go anyway.
Word of the Day
"Educe" - verb, transitive [$10]
Educe means 1. to bring out or develop from latent or potential existence: elicit; 2. infer, elicit a principle or number from data.
Sentence: In the "humble" [ ;) ] opinion of Bunkerman, a small ice cube added to whiskey educes its inherent flavor and aroma to come forth in much more quantity for a more enjoyable drink.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Rum
Over the years I've become fond of rum as an evening cocktail before dinner. One problem I've had has been finding high quality rums - rum is a bit late in targeting the premium market. Understanding the different types and reading the labels to find good rums for experimentation has been difficult. Labeling laws in rums are very weak in most nations. After learning a good bit of French, however, I've had a lot of success and write about my results and recommendations here. The style follows my earlier writings on all spirits liquor and on Scotch [see posts of May 29, 2009 and July 27, 2007]. I break the recommendations down by price range. All these rums are stocked in my bar in the "Sword Room" of the bunker.
The best rums in my opinion are made from sugar cane juice, not syrup or molasses. They also are aged in wood casks or distilled in wood pot-stills.
Highest - the best rum I've ever had is a 1970 Clément Rhum from Martinique, "Trés vieux Rhum agricole pur Martinique; vielli en futs de chene". This costs about $230 per bottle, but was exquisite, like a cognac with a rum flavor. Mrs. B purchased this for me after lecturing on a cruise in the Caribbean in the mid 1990s, so it was likely aged 20+ years. The French decription means, "very old, pure Martinique farm rum, aged in oak casks". Martinique has strong labeling laws that are similar to French wine labeling laws.
"Rhum agricole" means farm rum, meaning it is made on the farm with fresh sugar cane juice squeezed at the proper time. Also, "vieux" means "old". Look for those words in rums from French speaking countries.
High - Rhum J. M., a rhum vieux agricole from Martinique also. My particular bottle purchased last week was a 1997 vintage aged 10+ years costing $50. This is 96 proof, so adjust your drink accordingly. This rum is excellent, with a fine flavor that's not oppressive.
Moderate - the Original British Navy Pusser's Rum. About $22/bottle. This is made according the standards and formula of the grog served by the "purser" on British Navy ships for centuries. The quality is very high, and the rum is a blend of four rums all distilled in wood pot stills (instead of metal) for added flavor.
Low - Mount Gay Rum, Eclipse, from Barbados - a golden rum. Costs about $16/bottle, this rum has good flavor and is very mixable.
How to Drink It
My preference is straight rum on ice with a slice/wedge of lime. I let the ice melt a bit to cut the bite of the alcohol. Hence for Rhum J. M. with its high proof, I let the ice melt a bit longer. Then I just sip it. This lets me enjoy the flavor of the fine rum at its peak without excessive dilution.
Don't let conventions push you to drink the rum in some way that doesn't maximize your pleasure for yourself. That is part of the Epicurean philosophy: live simply, but enjoy some things at their best.
Markets
Doing nothing. Looking. Thinking.
Word of the Day
"Jocose" - adjective [$10]
Jocose means 1. playful in style; 2. fond of joking, jocular.
Sentence: This blog often is written in a jocose style that might be a bit too subtle sometimes.
The best rums in my opinion are made from sugar cane juice, not syrup or molasses. They also are aged in wood casks or distilled in wood pot-stills.
Highest - the best rum I've ever had is a 1970 Clément Rhum from Martinique, "Trés vieux Rhum agricole pur Martinique; vielli en futs de chene". This costs about $230 per bottle, but was exquisite, like a cognac with a rum flavor. Mrs. B purchased this for me after lecturing on a cruise in the Caribbean in the mid 1990s, so it was likely aged 20+ years. The French decription means, "very old, pure Martinique farm rum, aged in oak casks". Martinique has strong labeling laws that are similar to French wine labeling laws.
"Rhum agricole" means farm rum, meaning it is made on the farm with fresh sugar cane juice squeezed at the proper time. Also, "vieux" means "old". Look for those words in rums from French speaking countries.
High - Rhum J. M., a rhum vieux agricole from Martinique also. My particular bottle purchased last week was a 1997 vintage aged 10+ years costing $50. This is 96 proof, so adjust your drink accordingly. This rum is excellent, with a fine flavor that's not oppressive.
Moderate - the Original British Navy Pusser's Rum. About $22/bottle. This is made according the standards and formula of the grog served by the "purser" on British Navy ships for centuries. The quality is very high, and the rum is a blend of four rums all distilled in wood pot stills (instead of metal) for added flavor.
Low - Mount Gay Rum, Eclipse, from Barbados - a golden rum. Costs about $16/bottle, this rum has good flavor and is very mixable.
How to Drink It
My preference is straight rum on ice with a slice/wedge of lime. I let the ice melt a bit to cut the bite of the alcohol. Hence for Rhum J. M. with its high proof, I let the ice melt a bit longer. Then I just sip it. This lets me enjoy the flavor of the fine rum at its peak without excessive dilution.
Don't let conventions push you to drink the rum in some way that doesn't maximize your pleasure for yourself. That is part of the Epicurean philosophy: live simply, but enjoy some things at their best.
Markets
Doing nothing. Looking. Thinking.
Word of the Day
"Jocose" - adjective [$10]
Jocose means 1. playful in style; 2. fond of joking, jocular.
Sentence: This blog often is written in a jocose style that might be a bit too subtle sometimes.
Friday, May 29, 2009
TGIF and Hmmmm ....
Strange news coming out ...
FT: "Japan’s industrial output bounced back 5.2 per cent in April compared with the previous month, a stronger rise than analysts expected "
And "India’s economy grew a better-than-expected 5.8 per cent in the first three months of 2009 "
Copper prices are rising decisively over $2.00/lb.
I suppose the doomsters can find something bad in that data. But in my humble opinion, up is up. Why overthink this ? Last fall was a panic caused by beefer Viking raiders, everyone got scared and stopped buying or ordering everything, so the economy fell off the cliff. But that can only last so long. Eventually people start living again.
It's like 1974 when the Arab oil embargo hit. Panic ... gas lines ... stocks fall 50% ... economy nosedives and bounces along the bottom for six months ... then life continues ... stocks rise 100% over the next year. Very long term, some troubling things exist that might hurt GROWTH later, but until the economy gets back to where it was, that resistance won't be felt.
Obama Fund is well positioned IF this scenario plays out. I chose many stocks in sectors that performed excellently after the 1974 air-pocket. Time will tell.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch drinkers: check out this site - http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/default.asp
And here's a fine glass to best enjoy your fine Scotch whisky: http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0100000001790
I drink my finest Scotch whiskies in a glass like this. I prefer the finest Scotches with just a small ice cube, which I let partly melt as I smell the aromas and enjoy the visual pleasures of the fine Scotch adhering to the glass as I tip and lightly swirl and sniff it. Then I sip it ... the partly melted ice puts it at the perfect temperature, about 50F and the bit of water releases the flavor and gives the Scotch better mouth-feel as the alcohol burn is reduced just enough.
I've visited the Royal Mile Whiskies store in Edinburgh. It's just a little shop, but has super selections and the staff was really helpful. I bought six bottles [each costing over $400]and had them shipped directly to home. This works OK if you limit it to four or six bottles, as they said they've never had a problem with customs.
[By the way, there is a store in London, too. I walked past it on my visit there on the way to the British Museum.]
So what if you want a good Scotch here in the US, without buying it from Scotland? Here are my tested recommendations.
Finest: Johnny Walker Blue Label. About $200 per bottle or so, depending where you buy it. This is a blend of superb single malts and has the mouth-feel and richness of a fine cognac.
Medium: Glenlivet French Oak Finish. About $40 per bottle, depending on the store and exchange rate. It's a single malt with a better, richer taste that the usual Glenlivit which is quite good.
Modest: Teacher's Highland Cream. I think one can get a 1.5 liter bottler for about $25 or so from memory. This Scotch whisky has the flavors of the fine Cardhu malts used in Johnny Walker whiskies, but is much cheaper. Best value.
By the way, just so you don't appear as a heathen or Philistine, it's spelled Scotch whisky, but conversely it's Irish whiskey. Only scotch is properly deemed a "whisky" - all the rest are "whiskey". We do have to let the Scottish people and their spirits have that respect- they invented it and we are grateful to them for that. Bourbon is an American originated whiskey made with over 50% corn. And Rye is originally a term used for whiskey made with over 50% rye grain, but is also slang for the many "American" blended whiskies like Seagram's, etc.
Word of the Day
"Liminal" - adjective [$10]
Liminal means 1.a. of or relating to a transitional or initial stage; 1.b. marginal, insignificant; 2. occupying a position on or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.
Sentence: Quite a lot of recent economic data has liminal qualities portending new cycle of economic growth is commencing. It's not certain, but when is anything certain about economies or stocks ?
Le Mot du Jour
"Canard" - noun, masculine
Canard means 1. (Culinary) duck, (oiseau, male) drake; 2. (journal) paper, *rag; 3. (= fausse note) faire un ~ to hit a false note; 4. (terme d'affection) mon (petit) ~ my pet. Several idioms such as "Il fait un froid du canard" meaning "It's freezing cold.", but more literally, "It's cold as a duck":
La Phrase: Il fait un froid du canard aujourd'hui- 50F. Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé à réchauffement de la planète ?
Sentence: It's freezing cold today - 50F. What happened to global warming?
FT: "Japan’s industrial output bounced back 5.2 per cent in April compared with the previous month, a stronger rise than analysts expected "
And "India’s economy grew a better-than-expected 5.8 per cent in the first three months of 2009 "
Copper prices are rising decisively over $2.00/lb.
I suppose the doomsters can find something bad in that data. But in my humble opinion, up is up. Why overthink this ? Last fall was a panic caused by beefer Viking raiders, everyone got scared and stopped buying or ordering everything, so the economy fell off the cliff. But that can only last so long. Eventually people start living again.
It's like 1974 when the Arab oil embargo hit. Panic ... gas lines ... stocks fall 50% ... economy nosedives and bounces along the bottom for six months ... then life continues ... stocks rise 100% over the next year. Very long term, some troubling things exist that might hurt GROWTH later, but until the economy gets back to where it was, that resistance won't be felt.
Obama Fund is well positioned IF this scenario plays out. I chose many stocks in sectors that performed excellently after the 1974 air-pocket. Time will tell.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch drinkers: check out this site - http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/default.asp
And here's a fine glass to best enjoy your fine Scotch whisky: http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0100000001790
I drink my finest Scotch whiskies in a glass like this. I prefer the finest Scotches with just a small ice cube, which I let partly melt as I smell the aromas and enjoy the visual pleasures of the fine Scotch adhering to the glass as I tip and lightly swirl and sniff it. Then I sip it ... the partly melted ice puts it at the perfect temperature, about 50F and the bit of water releases the flavor and gives the Scotch better mouth-feel as the alcohol burn is reduced just enough.
I've visited the Royal Mile Whiskies store in Edinburgh. It's just a little shop, but has super selections and the staff was really helpful. I bought six bottles [each costing over $400]and had them shipped directly to home. This works OK if you limit it to four or six bottles, as they said they've never had a problem with customs.
[By the way, there is a store in London, too. I walked past it on my visit there on the way to the British Museum.]
So what if you want a good Scotch here in the US, without buying it from Scotland? Here are my tested recommendations.
Finest: Johnny Walker Blue Label. About $200 per bottle or so, depending where you buy it. This is a blend of superb single malts and has the mouth-feel and richness of a fine cognac.
Medium: Glenlivet French Oak Finish. About $40 per bottle, depending on the store and exchange rate. It's a single malt with a better, richer taste that the usual Glenlivit which is quite good.
Modest: Teacher's Highland Cream. I think one can get a 1.5 liter bottler for about $25 or so from memory. This Scotch whisky has the flavors of the fine Cardhu malts used in Johnny Walker whiskies, but is much cheaper. Best value.
By the way, just so you don't appear as a heathen or Philistine, it's spelled Scotch whisky, but conversely it's Irish whiskey. Only scotch is properly deemed a "whisky" - all the rest are "whiskey". We do have to let the Scottish people and their spirits have that respect- they invented it and we are grateful to them for that. Bourbon is an American originated whiskey made with over 50% corn. And Rye is originally a term used for whiskey made with over 50% rye grain, but is also slang for the many "American" blended whiskies like Seagram's, etc.
Word of the Day
"Liminal" - adjective [$10]
Liminal means 1.a. of or relating to a transitional or initial stage; 1.b. marginal, insignificant; 2. occupying a position on or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.
Sentence: Quite a lot of recent economic data has liminal qualities portending new cycle of economic growth is commencing. It's not certain, but when is anything certain about economies or stocks ?
Le Mot du Jour
"Canard" - noun, masculine
Canard means 1. (Culinary) duck, (oiseau, male) drake; 2. (journal) paper, *rag; 3. (= fausse note) faire un ~ to hit a false note; 4. (terme d'affection) mon (petit) ~ my pet. Several idioms such as "Il fait un froid du canard" meaning "It's freezing cold.", but more literally, "It's cold as a duck":
La Phrase: Il fait un froid du canard aujourd'hui- 50F. Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé à réchauffement de la planète ?
Sentence: It's freezing cold today - 50F. What happened to global warming?
Friday, July 27, 2007
A Drinking Primer
After a day like yesterday, I thought a primer on drinking might help ;-)
Here are my favorite spirits and other "adult" beverages hehe.
Scotch: for a blended, Johnny Walker Blue neat in a shot glass is how I celebrate a great day in the market. Uh ... I didn't have one last evening :-( For less than a great day, I move down the Johnny Walker colors - gold, green, black and ... red. Actually I skip the red. For a single malt scotch, Glenlivit French Oak is my favorite. For a reasonably priced blended, I think Teacher's Highland Cream is best - it's often in my glass.
NOTE: For ALL whiskys or whiskeys other than Johnny Walker Blue and rums, I have them straight in a smallish ice filled glass. I let the ice melt a little before sipping so there's a bit less bite to hide the flavor.
Bourbon: I've tried almost all the premium bourbons and prefer Maker's Mark. Yes, I know it's owned by a big firm now. But I had it 25 years ago and know it's still a fine bourbon. I think it's finish is better than others, such as Knob Creek or Blanton's. For a standard bourbon, try Old Forester.
Irish: Jameson makes a fine 12 year old Irish whiskey. My old Irish bartender used to recommend it, but I think that's because at the time, Bushmill's was owned by an English firm ;-)
Rye: easy - Old Overholt is excellent and very smooth.
Canadian: easy - Crown Royal is best.
[by the way, I don't drink any standard American blended whiskeys - I either choose a straight rye or a bourbon, depending on my mood.]
Rum: British Navy Pusser's Rum is superb, and the best by far. Other fine rums are Plantation rums of Trinidad or other coppery-gold colored rums of Barbados made with sugar cane or pure cane juice. Put a small chunk of lime in your ice filled glass and wipe its rim with the lime, too.
Vodka: premium Polish grain vodkas are my favorites. If having it straight, I drink it freezer cold - 0 degrees F - in a shot glass. Have some buttered bread or tasty deli meat with it.
Gin: I like Tanqueray, but the other premium gins such as Bombay or Beefeaters are fine, too.
Port: Buy any "Late Bottled Vintage" port - these are superb and less costly than a Vintage Port.
Sherry: Try either a good Spanish sherry or Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry.
Vermouth: for my World's Finest Martini, use the French White "Lillet", an aperitif wine. It has a soft gold color and a far superior flavor to common vermouths
[Note: for my World's Finest Martini recipe, see my post of February 4, 2007. Also, for this special recipe, I use Gordon's gin and vodka since those were what James Bond specified. Those are inexpensive, but still produce a fine, fine martini as the flavor comes from the Lillet]
Liqueurs: There are many, many fine liqueurs. I like B&B, Drambuie and Cointreau.
Wine: I prefer a full bodied, flavorful red wine such as the Australian Shiraz.
Beer: The locally brewed Ipswich Ale is really super - a non-pasteurized British-stye "real" ale that must be kept cold. Otherwise, I drink St. Pauli Girl, a fine German lager.
There - now you can stock your bar with only tested, quality brands - certified by Bunkerman ;-)
Here are my favorite spirits and other "adult" beverages hehe.
Scotch: for a blended, Johnny Walker Blue neat in a shot glass is how I celebrate a great day in the market. Uh ... I didn't have one last evening :-( For less than a great day, I move down the Johnny Walker colors - gold, green, black and ... red. Actually I skip the red. For a single malt scotch, Glenlivit French Oak is my favorite. For a reasonably priced blended, I think Teacher's Highland Cream is best - it's often in my glass.
NOTE: For ALL whiskys or whiskeys other than Johnny Walker Blue and rums, I have them straight in a smallish ice filled glass. I let the ice melt a little before sipping so there's a bit less bite to hide the flavor.
Bourbon: I've tried almost all the premium bourbons and prefer Maker's Mark. Yes, I know it's owned by a big firm now. But I had it 25 years ago and know it's still a fine bourbon. I think it's finish is better than others, such as Knob Creek or Blanton's. For a standard bourbon, try Old Forester.
Irish: Jameson makes a fine 12 year old Irish whiskey. My old Irish bartender used to recommend it, but I think that's because at the time, Bushmill's was owned by an English firm ;-)
Rye: easy - Old Overholt is excellent and very smooth.
Canadian: easy - Crown Royal is best.
[by the way, I don't drink any standard American blended whiskeys - I either choose a straight rye or a bourbon, depending on my mood.]
Rum: British Navy Pusser's Rum is superb, and the best by far. Other fine rums are Plantation rums of Trinidad or other coppery-gold colored rums of Barbados made with sugar cane or pure cane juice. Put a small chunk of lime in your ice filled glass and wipe its rim with the lime, too.
Vodka: premium Polish grain vodkas are my favorites. If having it straight, I drink it freezer cold - 0 degrees F - in a shot glass. Have some buttered bread or tasty deli meat with it.
Gin: I like Tanqueray, but the other premium gins such as Bombay or Beefeaters are fine, too.
Port: Buy any "Late Bottled Vintage" port - these are superb and less costly than a Vintage Port.
Sherry: Try either a good Spanish sherry or Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry.
Vermouth: for my World's Finest Martini, use the French White "Lillet", an aperitif wine. It has a soft gold color and a far superior flavor to common vermouths
[Note: for my World's Finest Martini recipe, see my post of February 4, 2007. Also, for this special recipe, I use Gordon's gin and vodka since those were what James Bond specified. Those are inexpensive, but still produce a fine, fine martini as the flavor comes from the Lillet]
Liqueurs: There are many, many fine liqueurs. I like B&B, Drambuie and Cointreau.
Wine: I prefer a full bodied, flavorful red wine such as the Australian Shiraz.
Beer: The locally brewed Ipswich Ale is really super - a non-pasteurized British-stye "real" ale that must be kept cold. Otherwise, I drink St. Pauli Girl, a fine German lager.
There - now you can stock your bar with only tested, quality brands - certified by Bunkerman ;-)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Whisky / Whiskey
If you like to drink quality whisky / whiskey occasionally, you might enjoy "Whisky Magazine" -> see www.whiskymag.com
I subscribe & it's an enjoyable read. The magazine covers all whisky / whiskey the world over, from the fine Scotch whisky to fine American whiskey to every other country's variety. The magazine is part travel magazine, too. The writers visit fine & famous distilleries all over the world and describe the processes & locations with fine writing.
I subscribe & it's an enjoyable read. The magazine covers all whisky / whiskey the world over, from the fine Scotch whisky to fine American whiskey to every other country's variety. The magazine is part travel magazine, too. The writers visit fine & famous distilleries all over the world and describe the processes & locations with fine writing.
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